What is a reason people are concerned about dredging the ocean floor?

Dredging the ocean floor can disrupt marine ecosystems and habitats, potentially leading to biodiversity loss. Benthic communities, including immobile forms like sponges, corals, and worms, as well as demersal fish species that live close to the seabed, can be directly impacted and damaged during the dredging process. These disruptions can significantly alter ecosystem composition and trophic interactions, affecting both local and broader food webs.